There are no explosions and no superheroes, but Midnight in Paris is an absolute summer must-see.
The most recent Woody Allen flick, stars Owen Wilson as romantic writer Gil Pender, who is having complications with finishing his first novel. He is a Hollywood big-wig who would rather give it all up to live the bohemian life of a starving artist in Paris, but his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) prefers the her materialistic California life. Gil goes on walks every night at midnight soaking up the vibe of the City of Light, and is transported to a magical time: Paris in the 1920s. He mingles with American literary heroes like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald and artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. He seeks their advice on everything from his impending marriage to his novel.
The plot is a departure from typical Woody Allen fare, but the dialogue is spot on as usual: quick, sharp, and subtly brilliant. The characters are all pretty chatty, and always have a quip to make, which is what we love about the legendary filmmaker. Owen Wilson, who is very hit or miss, is charming as the bumbling writer (another stereotypical Allen film trait), and Marion Cotillard is stunning (as always) as the 1920’s artists’ muse, Adriana. Michael Sheen is hilarious as the “pedantic” and cocky “other man.”
The shots of Paris throughout the film, but especially in the beginning montage, were beautiful. The city is the real star of the show and the real leading actor. This movie is a must see for anyone who has fallen in love with Paris and enjoys the city’s rich cultural history of supporting artists.
Check out the trailer below to see a preview of this delightful, charismatic movie!